Patents by Inventor Tom Rolfer

Tom Rolfer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Scanning antenna
    Patent number: 8502744
    Abstract: A reflector assembly implementable in a scanning antenna assembly having a stationary surface includes a support assembly coupled to the stationary surface, a substantially planar first reflector panel coupled to the support assembly so as to enable rotation of the first reflector panel about a central axis of the first reflector panel, and an actuator assembly comprising a translating arm coupled to the first reflector panel, wherein translational motion of the arm is operable to rotate the first reflector panel about the central axis back and forth through a predetermined angular range at a predetermined frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Yi-Chi Shih, Long Bui, Tom Rolfer, Kiet Mai, Yaozhong Liu
  • Heading stabilization for aided inertial navigation systems
    Patent number: 8019542
    Abstract: A method of stabilizing heading in an inertial navigation system includes operating an inertial measurement unit comprising horizontal-sensing elements and off-horizontal-sensing elements while the inertial measurement unit is in a first orientation, calibrating the horizontal-sensing elements of the inertial measurement unit based on horizontal aiding measurements, forward-rotating the inertial measurement unit by a selected-rotation angle about a horizontal-rotation axis so that the inertial measurement unit is oriented in a second orientation, operating the forward-rotated inertial measurement unit while the inertial measurement unit is in the second orientation, and calibrating the rotated off-horizontal-sensing elements based on horizontal aiding measurements while the inertial measurement unit is in the second orientation. When the inertial measurement unit is in the first orientation, the horizontal-sensing elements are oriented in a horizontal reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley J. Hawkinson, Tom Rolfer
  • SCANNING ANTENNA
    Publication number: 20100066620
    Abstract: A reflector assembly implementable in a scanning antenna assembly having a stationary surface includes a support assembly coupled to the stationary surface, a substantially planar first reflector panel coupled to the support assembly so as to enable rotation of the first reflector panel about a central axis of the first reflector panel, and an actuator assembly comprising a translating arm coupled to the first reflector panel, wherein translational motion of the arm is operable to rotate the first reflector panel about the central axis back and forth through a predetermined angular range at a predetermined frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Yi-Chi Shih, Long Bui, Tom Rolfer, Kiet Mai, Yaozhong Liu
  • HEADING STABILIZATION FOR AIDED INERTIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20080319667
    Abstract: A method of stabilizing heading in an inertial navigation system is provided. The method includes operating an inertial measurement unit comprising horizontal-sensing elements and off-horizontal-sensing elements while the inertial measurement unit is in a first orientation, calibrating the horizontal-sensing elements of the inertial measurement unit based on horizontal aiding measurements, forward-rotating the inertial measurement unit by a selected-rotation angle about a horizontal-rotation axis so that the inertial measurement unit is oriented in a second orientation, operating the forward-rotated inertial measurement unit while the inertial measurement unit is in the second orientation, and calibrating the rotated off-horizontal-sensing elements based on horizontal aiding measurements while the inertial measurement unit is in the second orientation. When the inertial measurement unit is in the first orientation, the horizontal-sensing elements are oriented in a horizontal reference plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Wesley J. Hawkinson, Tom Rolfer